Okay, seriously, the end of books would be my definite worse nightmare ever!!!
I think my favorite quote is definitely the introduction, "...in the world of video transmissions, cellular phones, fax machines, computer networks, and in particular out in the humming digitalized precints of avant garde computer hackers, cyber punks and hyper space freaks, you will often hear it said that the print medium is doomed and outdated technology, a mere curiosity of bygone days destined soon to be consigned forever to those dusty unattended museums we call libraries" (706).
Hahaha, 'avant garde computer hackers'? 'Cyber punks'? 'Hyper space freaks'? Was I the only one that cracked up at this? I seriously laughed so hard...But anyways, it's pretty funny how the 'futuristic' image of the cyber world is so different than it actually is.
"...the print medium is domed and outdated technology, a mere curiosity of bygone days destined soon to be consigned forever to those dusty unattended museums we call libraries". This is seriously my worst nightmare!!
I love reading and would hate for print to be eliminated! I wonder what Coover would have to say of the world now...with texts, emails, etc.
This reminds me of how my boyfriend has been asking me over and over if I want a kindle or a subscription to a website where I can download audio books. As cool as that sounds, I love having the actual book in my hands and being able to feel the pages and display the book on our shelves.
Anyways, so sorry for such a space cadet-y post! I'm off for some pumpkin carving!!!
Have an awesome Halloween weekend!!!
This might make me sound old or nerdy, but does anyone remember the television serious on Nickelodeon called “Space Cases”? It was a futuristic science fiction show of young students trapped on an alien spaceship in outer space. Maybe the image of a kid with rainbow hair can help spark a memory. I can’t quiet remember the episode but, there was an episode when they discovered hard back books and they stared at the book and asked the adult teacher, “How do you turn it on?” This article reminds me of this show because these kids clearly did not know how a book functions. I was just a kid when I saw this show, but I remember after seeing that episode, I thought to myself, “Now how can book ever become forgotten? “Now I see how that can be possible. I hope that day never comes. I enjoy books as much as you do.
ReplyDeleteHey Veggie Delite! I agree with you that the introductory quote was pretty funny and I definitely laughed when I started reading the article. I think that Coover’s idea of hypertext is interesting and relevant to technology today. I agree that I would not want to give up my printed books and do not see those disappearing from my life anytime soon. I also think that the idea of electronic readers like Kindle, Nook and Kobo provide an interesting way to read books (more environmentally friendly); however, I still prefer my printed books. It does seem that more and more people are moving towards purchasing electronic readers, so I think it is a growing form of technology. I think the idea of hypertext is intriguing since it allows writers to have an ever-changing plot, but at the same time I like how printed books do not allow for this to be an option. Overall, I agree with many of the points you addressed in your post and think that Robert Coover’s article was rather interesting to learn about his ideas with this type of technology, but I am not so sure I completely agree with his idea that printed books will disappear forever and are “doomed”.
ReplyDelete~Babs
I really enjoyed reading your post. I think your sediment about the end of actual books is a feeling that is felt by many older people who did not grow up with computers and technological innovation. Considering this article was written in 1992 and books have not been completely expunged from society, it makes me wonder if books will ever completely be phased out in society. If they are, I do not think it will happen until the older generation fades away. However, maybe people like you will keep actual books around forever…..who knows?
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